DSL service fails to attract subscribers

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology, has failed to enthuse Indian subscribers. DishnetDSL, which launched the service with a big bang last year has managed to net 10,000 subscribers.

DishnetDSL has rolled out its DSL services in five cities. Compare this with its dial-up services, which are available across 38 cities and has a subscriber base of 2.2 lakh. DSL services are very popular as they enable high-speed data access. In India they had a problem in deployment as they required connectivity with the local telephone exchanges to utilise their copper connections. The company has proposed to MTNL and BSNL for utilising their network but have yet to hear from them.

Till MTNL and BSNL decide to be generous, DSL connectivity in the country will remain low. This has DishnetDSL looking for alternative ways to expand their network. The company has recently announced a tie-up with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to set up cyber cafes at its petrol pumps.

It is also concentrating on expanding its point of presence by expanding its cyber-café and corporate service model. In order to boost its bottomline, DishnetDSL will also launch a slew of value added services which are currently being developed at its ETH Labs.